President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the colossal calamity which occurred on Thursday in the Saudi Arabia, claiming the lives of hundreds of pilgrims, including Nigerians.

According to President Buhari, the stampede at Mina in which a notable Nigerian Journalist, Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf, Prof. Tijjani El-Miskin and others lost their lives is a monumental tragedy, not only for citizens of the countries involved, but for the global Islamic community.

In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President also extended condolences to the families of the over 700 pilgrims who lost their lives in the disaster in the Holy Places which occurred less than two weeks after a crane collapse in Mecca that claimed more than a hundred lives.

He commiserated with the Nigerian Guild of Editors and the Nigerian Union of Journalists on the sad loss of Hajiya Bilkisu, an exemplary, dedicated, knowledgeable, very credible, highly-respected, outstanding editor and columnist who, even in death, will remain a glittering role model for journalists, within and outside Nigeria.

The statement reads: “The President has taken note of the assurance by the Government of Saudi Arabia that Thursday’s catastrophe will be investigated and urges King Salman to ensure a comprehensive and thorough exercise that will identify any flaws in Hajj organisation with a view to avoiding a recurrence of such tragedies during the annual pilgrimage.

“In the knowledge that it is not within our powers to question the will of God, President Buhari prays that Almighty Allah will comfort the families who lost their beloved ones in the stampede and receive the souls of all those who died in the Holy Land while fulfilling the religious obligation of the Hajj,” It stated